Turnstile



Aug. 20, 1968 G. H. FOXWELL ET AL. 3,397,486

TUHNSTILE Filed Feb. 10, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 WARD DILLINGHDM Ganev H. .F'ox WELL INVENTORS 0, 1968 G. H. FOXWELL ET AL 3,397,486

TURNSTILE Filed Feb. 10, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ED W420 z) ILL/NGHAM G5 FOXWELL 22y INVENTORS A g- 1968 e. H. FOXWELL ET AL 3,397,486

TURNSTILE Filed Feb. 10, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 mdsN-rolzs EDI/W420 D LLING -h A I Gentav H. Foxm/ELL neg-7- United States Patent f 3,397,486 TURNSTILE Gerry H. Foxwell, Granada Hilis, and Edward Dillingham, Pacific Palisades, Calif., assignors to Advance Data Systems Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Feb. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 526,461 11 Claims. (CI. 49-47) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electrically controlled, bi-directional turnstile having the operating mechanism enclosed within a cup-shaped hub is described. A pair of solenoid-controlled pawls, one right and one left, cooperate with shoulders formed on the inner wall of the hub. Direction of rotation is determined by which solenoid is actuated. A control circuit includes a token-actuated switch, a relay and a cam operated indexing switch in circuit with each solenoid. The token-actuated switch energizes the relay, which holds through a holding contact and the normally closed indexing switch. The associated solenoid is energized, removing the pawl and freeing the turnstile for rotation. After being rotated to admit one person, the indexing switch is opened momentarily by a cam on the hub, opening the relay circuit, deenergizing the solenoid, and releasing the pawl to its normal locking position. Payment may be required for rotation of the turnstile in either direction or in both directions, or may be set to allow free access in either, or both directions, as the installation requires.

This invention relates to barriers employed for controlling gateways or passages of various kinds, and more particularly, to a turnstile barrier of the type employing three arms rotating about an axis inclined at forty-five degrees to the vertical, and in which the arms are arranged at a forty-five degree inclination to said axis, whereby one arm normally occupies the horizontal barrier position across the passage, and the other arms extend downwardly at the side of the passageway. Such passage control barriers are employed for control of access to transportation systems, vehicles, or for access to various public events. They are usually freed by insertion in a slot of a token, such as a coin or ticket, allowing the passenger or customer to push a barrier arm and go through the control passageway.

Such turnstiles heretofore known to the art have been mechanical. As a result they have been bulky, massive, and inherently inflexible. Mechanical turnstiles require a great deal of expensive precision machine work, and take up a great deal of valuable space. In the turnstile-type barrier of the present invention the locking, release, and indexing functions are controlled electrically. The flexibility of the electrical circuit enables the turnstile to be set up to allow passage in one direction upon release by the proper token, to allow passage in the other direction upon actuation by the token, allows the turnstile to be locked, or enables unlocking to allow free passage in either direction. Thus, if installed in a rapid transit station, for example, the turnstile may be set up to require payment of fare upon entry or upon exit. In addition the turnstile may be locked to prevent access to the station, or, as may be necessary in an emergency, it may be readily unlocked to allow free passage in either direction. When set up to require payment upon entry, the barrier of the present invention may allow passengers to exit through the same turnstile. Further, by including two token receiving receptacles, one at each end, the turnstile may be set up to require payment upon entrance and, in addition, require payment upon exit. In many modern rapid transit systems tickets are employed to actuate the barriers upon 3,397,486 Patented Aug. 20, 1968 entrance and exit. Thus, the passenger may purchase a ticket for a specific journey; insert the ticket into a slot in the turnstile for electronic sensing by a computer, not part of the present invention, and if the ticket is satisfactory, and initiating switch is closed, releasing the barrier and allowing the passenger to enter through the turnstile. Upon reaching his destination, the passenger would insert the same ticket into a slot in an exit turnstile, wherein fare data on the ticket will be sensed and the validity of the ticket for exit at that station is determined. Upon determination by the exit station computer of proper fare payment, the computer will close the turnstile initiating switch releasing the turnstile and enabling the passenger to exit. The present invention comprises a simple mechanism inclosed completely within a cup-shaped rotary hub which supports the barrier arms. The control circuitry may be placed within the supporting sheet metal covered case which also conveniently contains the token receiving receptacle. The actuating token may be the ticket discussed hereinabove, a coin, or a coin-like object such as are frequently employed by transit systems. Upon payment of a fare, as by a coin or token, the desired directional relay of a pair is energized, actuating the proper direction solenoid and freeing the turnstile for rotation. An indexing cam and spring-loaded follower require the passenger to exert pressure to initiate rotation. The springloaded cam follower then releases stored energy to assist in completion of the admission cycle. Near the end of the cycle, an indexing cam, mounted on the hub, opens an indexing switch which deenergizes the relay and its associated solenoid, releasing the pawl and locking the turnstile against further rotation.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a token releasable entrance or exit barrier.

Another object of this invention is to provide a token releaseable barrier having few moving parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide a turnstile barrier wherein locking, release, and indexing are controlled electrically.

Another object of this invention is to provide an electrically controlled turnstile which is long-lived, reliable, compact and simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification and appended drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an external perspective view of the turnstile barrier of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hub-contained mechanism of the turnstile barrier of FIGURE 1 taken along line 22;

FIGURE 3 is another cross-sectional view of the hubcontained mechanism, taken along line 33 of FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a detail view of a pawl assembly taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a detail view of a buffer taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a detail view of an indexing switch taken along line 66 of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control circuit.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURE 1 illustrates the turnstile barrier of the present invention. A passage' is defined by the sheet metal covered case 11 of the tumstile and a fence 12. A cup-shaped rotary hub 13 is journaled on a base plate 17 fastened to the frame of case 1 1 with its axis at an angle of 45 degrees from the vertical. Three barrier arms 14, 15, and 16 are equidistantly mounted on hub 13 at an angle of 45 degrees from the axis of the hub. The turnstile is constructed so that one barrier arm, such as 14, will always come to rest in a barrier position obstructing the passageway. FIGURES 2 and 3 illustrate the mechanism of the present invention enclosed within the hollow interior of cup-shaped rotary hub 13. Hub 13 is securely fastened to a shaft 21, journaled for rotation in bearing 22 fixed to base plate 17. The interior wall of cup-shaped hub 13 is grooved to provide a plurality of stop shoulders 23. These cooperate with forward and reverse pawls 24 and 25, respectively. Forward pawl 24 is rotatably mounted on pin 26 fixed to base plate 17. In a similar manner, reverse pawl is rotatably mounted on pin 27 fixed to base plate 17. The position of forward pawl 24 is determined by forward solenoid 31 and the position of reverse pawl 25 is determined by reverse solenoid 32. Forward and reverse solenoids 31 and 32 have spring loaded armatures 33 and 34, respectively, which are normally urged outwardly, placing pawls 24 and 25 in engaging position with stop shoulders 23. In FIGURE 3 pawl 24 is shown engaged while pawl 25 is retracted due to energization of solenoid 32.

The turnstile is indexed into its barrier position by means of three lobed cam 35, roller type cam follower 36, crank 37 and spring 41. Cam 35 is secured to the interior of cup-shaped hub 13. Cam follower roller 36 is pivotally mounted on pin 26, secured to base plate 17. Cam follower 36 is urged against cam 35 by spring 41 fastened between the short arm of crank 37 and post 42 secured to base plate 17. A detail view of the assembly, including pawl 24 and crank 37, is illustrated in FIGURE 4, taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3. As illustrated in FIGURE 4, both pawl 24 and crank 37 are journaled for rotation on pin 26, secured to base plate 17. The armature shaft 33 of solenoid 31, not shown in FIGURE 4, passes through an aperture in pawl 24. A pin 43 is secured to armature shaft 33. Pin 43 is mounted in an elongated aperture 44 which enables linear movement of solenoid shaft 33 to be translated into the arcuate movement of pawl 24.

Buffers are provided to cushion the shock of pawls 24 and 25 upon their release into locking position by springloaded armatures 33 and 34 after current to solenoids 31 and 32 is removed. Buffer 45 is placed adjacent pawl 24, and buffer 46 is placed adjacent pawl 25. Buffer 45 is illustrated in detail in FIGURE 5. As illustrated in FIG- URE 5, buffer 45 comprises a pin 47 secured to base plate 17 and an eccentrically-mounted, cylindrical rubber bushing 51 bonded to pin 47. By making bushing 51 eccentric with respect to pin.47, buffer 45 may be adjusted to compensate for wear on the engaging edge of pawl 24 in contact with hub 13. Buffer 46 is constructed in the same manner as buffer 45 and is mounted adjacent to pawl 25 on base plate 17.

Control of the release and locking of barrier arms 14, 15, and 16 is accomplished by'means of the electrical circuit illustrated in FIGURE 7. Indexing of the position of the barrier arms so that one arm always locks into a barrier position is provided by a pair of cam actuated snap switches 52 and 53 located on base plate 17, and three earns, 56, 57 and 60 provided on hub 13. Snap switches 52 and 53 are mounted approximately 100 degrees apart as illustrated in FIGURE 3. Each of the snap switches 52 and 53 is furnished with a switch-actuating plunger such as 54, having a roller 55 riding on the periphery of hub 13. Cams 56, 57, and 60 are secured to hub 13, each located adjacent a corresponding barrier arm. Thus, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, cam 56 is placed adjacent barrier arm 15. The switch contacts are normally closed. However as the hub 13 is rotated, roller '55 rides upon a cam and plunger 54 is urged inwardly to open the switch contacts.

The turnstile of the present invention includes the control circuit illustrated in FIGURE 7. A suitable power source is applied to input power terminal 61. A forward control relay 65 is provided with fixed contacts 65a, 65b, 65c and 65d and movable contacts 65e and 65 shown in their normal position. Fixed contacts 65b and 65d are not connected in circuit. Turnstile release switch 71 is connected between power source and the coil of forward control relay 65. Indexing snap switch 53 is connected between movable contact 65a and the power source. Forward mode selector switch 62 is connected between fixed contact 65c and forward solenoid 31. Movable contact 65 of forward control relay 65 is connected to the power source, while fixed contact 65a is connected to coil 65 and to turnstile release switch 71. Mode selector switch 62 is a three-position switch having a selector arm 63 connected to forward solenoid 31. Mode selector switch 62 has one contact 64 connected to power source 61, a contact 66 connected to relay fixed contact 650 and an unconnected contact position 67.

The reverse turnstile control circuit including relay 72 and reverse solenoid 32 is substantially similar to the forward turnstile control circuit. Relay 72 includes a coil connected to the power source through initiating switch 73 and to ground. Fixed contact 72a is connected to ground. Fixed contact 72b and 72d are not connected.

Fixed contact 720 is connected to reverse solenoid 32 3 through selector switch 74. Movable contact 72e is connected to the power source through snap switch 52 while movable contact 72 is connected directly to the power source.

The control circuit as illustrated in FIGURE 7 is adjusted for forward operation of the turnstile upon actuation of switch 71 by positioning of switch arm 63 to engage contact 66. Switch 71 may be actuated by a coin, ticket, suitable metallic disc or other token. Switch 71 may be actuated by the output signal from the electronic ticket reader of co-pending application Ser. No. 460,771 invented by Robert Bell and John Benjamin Crews. In the co-pending application, the magnetically coded ticket is examined for fare paid, destination and date and an output signal is provided if the ticket is acceptable. The output signal may be employed to momentarily close switch 71. Closure of switch 71 completes the circuit from the power source, to the coil of relay 65, to ground. Actuation of relay 65 pulls contacts 65e and 65 downwardly, as shown in the FIGURE 7. Thus, the coil of relay 65 is connected to the power source through normally closed snap switch 53, and the winding of solenoid 31 is connected to the power source through movable arm 63 and contact 66 of selector switch 62, and contact 650 of relay 65. Energization of solenoid 31 attracts armature 33, retracting pawl 24, and allowing the barrier arm to be rotated. As the following barrier arm approaches locking position, a cam on hub 13 opens snap switch 53, thereby releasing relay 65 and removing current from solenoid 31. Pawl 24 is then urged into locking position, coming into contact with stop shoulders, such as 23. As illustrated in FIGURE 7, in the normal forward mode, reverse solenoid 32 is disconnected at switch 74, pawl 25 remaining in the locking position. Since pawl 25 is spring-loaded by the spring in solenoid 32, pawl 25 acts as a ratchet, allowing forward rotation, but engaging with the stop shoulders to prevent reverse rotation of hub 13. If free exit is desired, arm of switch 74 may be placed at contact 81, actuating solenoid 32 and allowing free exit. On the other hand, if the fare paid must be checked at exit, as by the electronic ticket reader of the co-pending application disclosed hereinabove, arm 75 of switch 74 is placed at contact 77. Relay 72 would then be actuated by momentary closure of turnstile release switch 73 in response to the proper token. Actuation of relay 72 pulls arm 72e into contact with 72a locking relay 72 in. Arm 72 is pulled down to complete the circuit to solenoid 32 through contact 72c and the power source, enabling rotation to exit. As disclosed hereinabove, snap switch 52 is opened by a cam, releasing relay 72 and solenoid 32, thereby locking the turnstile into barrier position. It Will be apparent, therefore, that the provision of switches 62 and 74 enables the control circuit and turnstile to be set to require payment upon entrance, with either payment upon exit or free exit, or the turnstile may be locked to prevent exit. Similarly, the turnstile may be locked to prevent entrance or may be set to provide free entrance by adjustment of switch 74.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the embodiment of the invention disclosed hereinabove is exemplary only and the scope and spirit of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A turnstile mechanism comprising a fixed base,

a hollow, cup-shaped rotary hub journaled on said base,

a barrier including spaced arms fastened to the outside of said hub,

means for locking said barrier progressively in barrier attitude, said locking means including a plurality of stop shoulders on the inner walls of said hollow, cup-shaped rotary hub, forward and reverse pawls within said hollow, cupshaped hub engaged with said stop shoulders, and

electrical control means for selectively disengaging one of said forward and reverse pawls from said stop shoulders.

2. In the combination of claim 1, barrier arm indexing means including an indexing cam fastened to the axis of said rotary hub and a cam follower secured to said base within said hollow, cup-shaped hub.

3. In the combination of claim 2, barrier arm position sensing means including a camming surface on the wall of said hub adjacent each of said spaced barrier arms and a cam-actuated switch secured to said base and connected in circuit with said electrical control means.

4. In the combination of claim 3, said electrical control means including a token actuated initiating switch connected to a power source, a relay having a coil connected to said initiating switch, a first pair of normally open relay contacts connected to said coil and to said power source through said cam actuated switch upon energization of said coil, a pawl-actuating solenoid, and a second pair of normally open relay contacts connected between said power source, and said solenoid.

5. In the combination of claim 3, said electrical control means including a token actuated initiating switch connected to a power source, a relay having a coil connected to said initiating switch, a first pair of normally open relay contacts connected to said coil and to said power source through said cam actuated switch upon energization of said coil, a pawl-actuating solenoid, a second pair of normally open relay contacts connected to said power source, and means interconnecting said solenoid and said second pair of relay contacts.

6. In the combination of claim 3, said electrical control means including a token actuated initiating switch connected to a power source, a relay having a coil connected to said initiating switch, a first pair of normally open relay contacts connected to said coil and to said power source through said cam actuated switch upon energization of said coil, a pawl-actuating solenoid, a second pair of normally open relay contacts connected to said power source, and a mode switch having a first position interconnecting said second pair of relay contacts and said solenoid, a second position connecting said solenoid to said power source, and an open circuit position.

7. A turnstile mechanism comprising a base,

a rotary hollow, cup-shaped hub journaled on said base,

a barrier including spaced arms fastened to the outer walls of said hub,

means for locking said barrier progressively in barrier attitude including a plurality of stop shoulders on the inner walls of said hub, forward and reverse pawls yieldingly engaged with said stop shoulders, forward and reverse solenoids for selectively disengaging said forward and reverse pawls, and

an electrical control circuit for selectively energizing said solenoids.

8. In the turnstile of claim 7, a token-actuated switch for effecting operation of said electrical control means.

9. In the turnstile of claim 8, a relay connected to said token actuated switch having a holding contact and a solenoid-actuating contact, a normally closed cam-operated indexing switch in circuit with said holding contact, and a cam on said hub for opening said indexing switch.

10. In the turnstile of claim 9, said relay solenoid-actuating contact connected to said forward solenoid for disengaging said forward pawl upon closing of said solenoid-actuating contact.

11. In the turnstile of claim 10, a second, reverse relay having a reverse holding contact and a reverse solenoidactuating contact, a second reverse normally closed indexing switch in circuit with said reverse holding contact opened by said cam on said hub, and said reverse solenoid for disengaging said reverse pawl in circuit with said reverse solenoid-actuating contact.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,221,268 4/ 1917 Andreatte. 1,623,744 4/ 1927 McLaughlin. 1,652,622 12/1927 Hedley et al. 1,688,746 10/1928 Parsons 4935 X 1,758,514 5/1930 Grover. 1,841,132 1/1932 Kennedy et al. 4947 2,204,897 6/1940 Kilpatrick 49-35 X 2,504,535 4/1950 Kilpatrick 4935 X DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

DENNIS L. TAYLOR, Assistant Examiner. 

